Signaling device for railroad-crossing gates



Sept. 28 1926. 1,601,499

SIEGNALING DEVICE FOR RAILROAD CROSSING GATES Filed Sept. 17, 1925 I 5 i GT8 /2 z7 fig gwuentoi Patented Sept. 28, 1926.

UNITED sta rs-s NIT JQFFIGE,

- PINKNEY-BRADFORD HOOD, OF SCIENCE -I-IILL, KENTUCKY.

SIGNALING DEVICE FOR RA ILROAD-CROSSING GATES.

Application filed September construction and appearance, and whichwill plainly show the motorist whether it is safe or dangerous for him to make the c'r'oss Another object is to construct the signal device in such a manner that the operation thereof will be controlled'by the train.

Other objects will be aparent from the accompanying drawing and specification.

In the drawing Figure 1 is an elevation of the signal device showing the revolving drum in its normal position with the words reading Go Track clear;

Figure 2 is a vertical section of the signal device;

Figure 3 is a signal device;

Figure 4: is a diagram of the electrical wiring for the signal.

Tn carrying out this invention, I provide a cast metal housing 3 of any desired shape and design such as a watchman, which is mounted at the right side of the highway 1, when facing in the direction of travel, on either side of the railroad crossing 2. The breast portion of the said housing 3 is partially out out as shown at 4, and a drum 5 mounted therein upon a shaft 6. The said shaft 6 extends down into the body portion 7 of the said housing 3 wherein it is journaled in bearings 9 and 17. A coil spring 8 is mounted over the shaft 6 and has its upper end secured in the said shaft 6 while its lower end is secured in the bearing support 17. A solenoid 10 is mounted in the body portion 7 and adapted to operate a plunger head 11 which is mounted in the said housing 3 and connected to the shaft 6 by means of a cable 12. The drum 5 is provided with a notched portion 18 along its lower edge for a purpose to be later explained. The said drum 5 is also pierced with the words Go track clear on the side which is normally exposed, and with the words Stop train coming on the opposite side or side which will only be exposed at intervals. A bracket 13 carrying a red light 14 is mounted upon the shaft 6 in back of the words Stop train coming of horizontal section of the 17, 1925- \serial No; 56,850.

the drum 5. A switch comprising two'distinct sets of conductor terminals, the fixed rhalf l5 of] which'dependsfrom the upper bear ng support andjthe movable half 16 of which is mounted upon the drum 5, is

provided andari anged in such a manner as to close thru frictionalen-gagement' of the said terminals when the said drum is rotated to show the words Stop train coming. A spring setlatch19'is pivoted in the housing 3through'its mediahp'ortion and with its tooth end is passed through the wall of the said housing 3, While its shank engages the notch 18 of the drum 5. Rigidly secured arms 20 and 21 are provided, and formed so that the arm 21 will hold a gong in front of the housing 3, While the arm 20 is divided at the elbow as shown at 22. The fore arm 23 which carries a hammer 24, is rigidly secured to a shaft 25 which is journale d through the 113m 20 and the wall of the housing 3. A lever 26 is secured to the inner end of the shaft 25 and operated by an electro-magnet 27 which is mounted directly below the end of the lever 26. A battery 28 and suitable wiring 29 are provided as shown in Figure 4.

The operation of the signal device is as follows: During the greater part of the time, there is no connection between the rails of the insulated section of the railroad tracks, and during which time the drum reads Go track clear. As soon as a train reaches the insulated section of the track and forms a connection between the said tracks, the solenoid 10 becomes energized and draws the plunger 11 toward itself, thereby partially rotating the shaft 6, so that the drum reads Stop train com ing and the switch 15-16 is closed, thus lighting the red'light 14 so as to illuminate the warning cut in the surface of the drum 5 and the immediate sunroundings' through .the words out in the said surface of the drum. The partial rotation of the shaft 6 creates a tension upon the coil spring 8 so that when the contact formed by the train between the insulated tracks is broken, the said spring 8 will return the shaft 6 into its normal position. The circuit formed through the train also energizes the electromagnet which operates the hammer 24 through the medium of the shaft 25 and lever 26.

While I have herein described a certain specific manner and method of constructing and assembling the elements of my invention, it is understood that I may vary from the same in minor details, not departing from the spirit of my invention, so as best to construct a practical device for the purpose intended as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a railroad cross ing, a signal device as described, embodying a housing; a drum for partial rotation mounted in the housing; the surface of the said drum being pierced with the words Go track clear and Stop train coming; means controlled by the train for the rotation of the drum; a gong mounted in front of the housing; a lever and operating means controlled by the train for operating the gong.

2. In combination witha railroad crossing, a signal device as described embodying a housing; a spring set shaft journaled in said housing; a drum, the surface thereof shaft and said plunger; a solenoid mounted in said housing for operating said plunger; a gong mounted in front of said housing; a hammer pivotally secured to said housing for ringing said gong; a lever secured to said hammer extended in to said housing; an electro-magnet mounted in said housing for operating said iev r; and electric means connected with insulated tracks for the simultaneous operation of the solenoid and electro-magnet, when a train forms a circuit.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

PINKNEY BRADFORD HOOD. 

